Karval's page

Karval decides to attend the contest, assuming it's allowed. In the meantime, he watches everyone around him and speaks little. He does his job mechanically, seeming to put very little thought into it.
Taking 10 on a Profession (sailor) check for a total of 16, just to give an idea of how efficient he is.

Indeed, hope things work out.

Karval stands nearby Araki. He still has his look of suppressed anger, but he seems to be keeping it under control. At any rate, he's recovered his voice. "It would seem we've been given similar duties."

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Karval pales at the mention of his grandfather. He gives a second, very stiff salute. He doesn't say anything.

Bump.

Nodding to captain Semaj, Rasamoro steps forward and snaps off a salute. "Greetings, Captain Semaj. I am Rasamoro, reporting for duty as ordered."

There y'are.

Karval salutes. "Karval...Varekul. And the half-orc is Tophan Stormcaller."

Karval nods. "Indeed."
He eyes the dagger at her belt. "It's positioned wrong. In case you didn't notice--I realize being late can cause one to make such trivial mistakes."
Though the hobgoblin's expression betrays nothing but apathetic politeness, his voice trembles with a bit more suppressed annoyance than usual.
The bird must be a familiar. Typical.

Karval sees the young woman approaching. "Perhaps that's her now."
Kanoko sees the hobgoblin eying her bird with interest.

Ha! A seven. That ought to fool them.

Actually, after reading the rules a mite closer, we've got a 3+2+5-2+2; 3roll+2charisma+5minor details only+2aid

"Hm...I suppose it will have to do. Anyways, I doubt they'll think much of a half-orc--not with hobgoblins in their midst."

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Karval chuckles hollowly. "Some of my kind on board. Excellent. You missed a spot there."
Karval gives Toph guidance on the disguise. "Yes, that...no, wait...careful...oh, dear...um...well...I suppose that will work."
Disguise Aid Another: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
The hobgoblin shrugs. "Perhaps nobody will look at you too closely."

Karval examines the ship critically as he approaches it.

You'd probably have to make a few CMB checks, but that'd be awesome! XD

I considered magus, but decided against it. Karval isn't a magus, or an eldritch knight, he's a wizard, who is also good at fighting. That being said, I think my next two levels will be fighter. I want to take Dodge and Weapon Focus. Then I'll go back to being a full-time wizard.

"I knew what I was getting into. I'm quite fine with magic already, no practice needed. And there was no point in wasting spells. Besides which, it wouldn't have been sporting. Can I get up now?"
I'm assuming Toph was saying that Karval's specialty is magic, while Toph's is the trident. If I'm wrong, I'll edit the post.

Alright, I got one shot at stopping this...Attack of Opportunity, go!
Attack: 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (17) - 6 = 11
Darn. Close, but no cigar.
Karval swings his scimitar, but the attack is off by a hair. And then he's down.
"Well played, Toph." The hobgoblin tosses his blade aside. "I should have known better than to challenge you in an all-out melee."

Hang on, don't I have an attack of opportunity? You don't have Improved Trip. :P
Karval swings at Toph with the flat of his blade as the half-orc tries to trip him.
Attack: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8
But the hobgoblin is too slow, and he is swept off his feet. Shouting, Karval swings desperately. He knows he's reached the end of the line, though. The hobgoblin tumbles away.
Attack (-4 prone, -4 defensively): 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (5) - 6 = -1
Acrobatics (DC increased by 5 for full speed, meaning I only succeed on a nat. 17): 1d1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Provokes an AoO, then. AC is 12.
EDIT: Okay, I rechecked. The DC would actually increase by TEN for full speed, which is impossible for Karval to make. I would like to instead swing, miss and not otherwise move, if that's alright. :)

Karval takes a step back to regroup. Watching Toph warily, he slowly draws his scimitar.
Yeah, an AoO every round is going to get Karval butchered.
On total defense, 18 AC.

I've been playing for about nine years. 3.5 and Pathfinder.
Karval leaps into the air and aims a kick at Toph.
Unarmed strike (fighting defensively): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Damage, if applicable: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Toph is easily able to dodge out of the way, though.
Funny--I thought that unarmed strikes provoked attacks of opportunity, but I guess not. Good news for Karval.
Karval has a 16 AC, thanks to defensive fighting. Also, if you attack with the trident, remember a -4 penalty to attacks for nonlethal damage. I'm reminding you because otherwise I'm gonna get my arse even more kicked in this fight. ;P

Karval nods very slightly.

Yeah, you're getting some nice rolls.
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Karval eyes Tophal, still wearing the small smile. His stance is wary. His sword has not been drawn. "Well, then..."
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Trying to determine whether Toph is going to throw the net (which I'm betting on) or attack with the trident. Karval's standard action will depend on his assumption.

Karval nods. "I believe I will fight next. Toph, would you care for a small brawl?"
The hobgoblin sits nearby. He is smiling, but this isn't the smile from the chess match--this is an intentional, calculated smile. "I think it would be illuminating. I won't use my magic if you won't use yours."

Karval watches with interest.

Karval picks up his cup of cold tea and takes a sip. The hobgoblin grimaces.
I'm going to bed now, but Karval will watch any fight with interest, and carefully take note of folks' fighting styles. :33

Karval stands and shakes Gui Lang's hand. "The same to you, Lang Xiao Bai."
He looks down at the game, and seems to remember something. Instantly, his look of barely-contained anger returns. "A quaint pastime, though the Nagaji is correct--compared to the power of iron or incantation, it is no more than an indulgence."
Indeed. Nicely done! You got some really good rolls--just a bit of bad luck in the last round. Not to mention those two 20s I scored, which I will never see again. XD

Karval looks up at Tong Kai, not losing his cheer. "The blade serves the intellect. The intellect serves this little toy."

Karval keeps moving, though he's slowed down a bit now. "You're a good player. But my ridiculous tutor at least knew how to play chess!" Karval lets out what passes for a laugh. It doesn't sound like it's heard very often.
Fifth Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Nice rolls, by the way.

Whatever Toph signed, it makes Karval place the next piece with enough force to rock the table.
Then the embarrassment is forgotten. The hobgoblin's eyes shine. "There we are..."
He moves in a flurry now, determined to press his advantage.
Fourth Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
HAHAHAHAHAA I just wasted two twenties in a row AND I AM HAPPY ABOUT IT!
Karval is grinning. "There we are. The side of White has rallied. The board is changing once more."

Karval stares blankly at his lost knight. "Not...bad."
He is silent a moment, then he seems to recover himself. Eyes glinting, the hobgoblin advances a pawn. "You know your way around a square, Lang Xiao Bai. It's time to make some changes to the board, though."
Third Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Karval's eyes narrow. "Cute."
He reaches forward and makes his move. "I just thought I'd test you. It's clear you're no opponent to toy with, though."
Second check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

A small smile appears on Karval, but he quickly dispels it. "Certainly, I will play a game."
The hobgoblin reaches and takes off his backpack, before moving to sit at the side table.
If Karval loses, it'll be pretty funny. XD
First check, against whoever wishes to play: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Karval shrugs. "I've heard nothing. I don't usually bother with matters that aren't my business."

Karval turns to Rasamoro, still glaring. "I am perfectly happy. I am not angry at all. Please try to keep in mind that our facial expressions are different from those of the Nagaji."

"I am perfectly relaxed." Karval turns his scowl on Lang.

Seeing Toph's movement, Karval's hand flies to his scimitar. His calm countenance doesn't vanish, but his stance is ready. "Enjoying the tea?"

Karval scowls at Toph.

Karval nods. "Good." He takes another swig.

Karval takes the flask. "Perhaps, but I believe I know the identity of this brew. Next to this tea, I'd be happier with phase venom."
He takes a swig.

The corner of Karval's mouth twitches. He gestures to the flask. "Is that what I think it is?"

Karval shrugs. "We've fought together a few times. He can only hear thunder, and never learned our speech. He's not bad at working out what we say to him, though." The hobgoblin nods approvingly.

"He's wondering if the sky talks to you," Karval explains to Lang Gui.
Karval has known Tophan for some time, and is used to his peculiar sign language, but it seems like it might be tricky for others to puzzle it out.
The hobgoblin takes a sip of his tea and scowls. "It's cold."
It's probably only cold because he's taken so long to start drinking it, but this clearly hasn't occurred to him.

Karval raises a very thin eyebrow at Tong's hiding the ring. The hobgoblin's hand strays to a dirty cloth sling around his neck...then falls back to his side. He sits down at the table and stares at his cup of tea.

I like how Karval highlights Toph's bad*ssery. XD

Karval nods at Toph.

Karval's hand leaves his weapon, and he seems to relax a little.

The hobgoblin nods, not looking at Lang. "My name is Karval."
Karval's hand rests on his scimitar, and all his attention seems to be on Tong Kai.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
The hobgoblin's beady eyes narrow.

The hobgoblin looks over. "I wouldn't waste time with it. If you don't know what it is, it's probably something unpleasant. It's tea."